Auditor-General to audit NNPC …says only 57 percent capital expenditure released for 2013

The Auditor-General of the Federation, Samuel Ukura, has said that his office has to audit the accounts of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Ukura, who disclosed this Thursday while appearing before the House of Representatives committee on public accounts (PAC),  said his office had trained 20 officials in that regard. He said: “We’ve trained […]

The Auditor-General of the Federation, Samuel Ukura, has said that his office has to audit the accounts of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Ukura, who disclosed this Thursday while appearing before the House of Representatives committee on public accounts (PAC),  said his office had trained 20 officials in that regard.

He said: “We’ve trained 20 professionals in the oil and gas sector auditing last year, and as I speak to you, they’re already on the field auditing the NNPC.”

NNPC has come under severe allegations by suspended Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, of failure to remit about $20 billion to the Federation Account last year.

Chairman of the committee, Rep Solomon Adeola Olamilekan (APC, Lagos) and other members inquired further from the auditor-general if he was sure of what he said in view of current allegations leveled against NNPC.

Ukura replied in the affirmative, saying “Yes, I’m sure. They’re trained professionals doing their job in that regard.”

The committee therefore resolved to re-invite the auditor-general sometime next week to engage him further on the issue as yesterday’s session was dedicated to 2014 budget defence.

Explaining his office’s expenditure for 2013, Ukura said only 57 percent of capital budget was achieved as only N374 million out of the N627 million capital votes was released.

Ukura had earlier claimed that the 57 percent implementation was across various government agencies last year, but he later withdrew it, saying he could only speak for his office when a lawmaker inquired further.

He said however that the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) had directed them to purchase cars only from Innoson Motors in line with the policy of encouraging local manufacturers.